'Verbeke has written a bold, busy, textured novel. Read it once and you may well read it twice.'--The Irish TimesWith a sharp and observational eye, Annelies Verbeke takes a funny, imaginative, and perceptive look at the realities and absurdities of human interactions, relationships, and everyday life. Verbeke matches poetic prose with a cast of intriguing characters and unexpected plot twists. Our protagonist is Alphonse,...